Diffidence may check resolution and obstruct performance, but compensates its embarrassments by more important advantages; it conciliates the proud, and softens the severe; averts envy from excellence, and censure from miscarriage.

There are people whom one should like very well to drop, but would not wish to be dropped by.

It is wonderful what a difference learning makes upon people even in the common intercourse of life, which does not appear to be much connected with it.

There is such a difference between the pursuits of men in great cities that one part of the inhabitants lives to little other purpose than to wonder at the rest. Some have hopes and fears, wishes and aversions, which never enter into the thoughts of others, and inquiry is laboriously exerted to gain that which those who possess it are ready to throw away.

Tears are often to be found where there is little sorrow, and the deepest sorrow without any tears.

Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them.

It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.